At least manager Ozzie Guillen still thinks the White Sox have a chance at making the playoffs, pending the outcome of their final visit to the Metrodome, which he referred to as a funeral home.
“We have to win the series there,” Guillen said Sunday after the Sox turned in a listless 8-3 loss that completed a three-game sweep by the New York Yankees and shoved the Sox six games behind the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central with 31 games left.
“If we lose this series, it’s going to be hard for us to get where we want to get. It’s going to be pretty tough, and hopefully those guys know about it.”
The realization is the Sox resemble more of the sub-.500 team they are (64-67) after losing seven of their last eight games and letting another close game slip away because of a shoddy bullpen and lack of clutch hitting.
“I’m pretty sure because of the momentum of the ballclub, if we don’t win this series in Minnesota, I don’t think this ballclub is going to be as high as it can be,” Guillen said.
The forecast looks gloomier, considering the Sox have lost 14 of their last 16 games at the Metrodome and now trail the Twins and Tigers in the standings.
“The way we play in the dome, it’s not going to make it any easier for us,” said closer Bobby Jenks, who didn’t rule out a comeback but acknowledged the importance of the series.
Catcher A.J. Pierzynski’s career developed in Minnesota, so he had some fond memories of the Metrodome. But Pierzynski intimated the Sox would be better served adjusting their mind-set.
“I understand the element thing and that it’s inside, and playing inside sucks,” Pierzynski said. “At the same time, we’ve gone in there sometimes and almost been beaten before we take the field.
“It’s like, ‘Oh, my God, we’ve got to go into the Metrodome,’ instead of saying, ‘We’re going to kick their [butts] and play hard.’ Fortunately, for us, we don’t go back anymore and don’t have to worry about it.
“Everyone knows what’s at stake.”
Mark Buehrle, who will start the Sox’s final game at the Metrodome on Wednesday, said winning two of three will alleviate some of the anguish he has experienced there since joining the Sox in 2000.
“We’ve been bad there for so long that I don’t think it’s going to outweigh it, but it will send us out on a good note,” he said.
After watching Freddy Garcia’s six innings of four-hit ball go to waste because relievers Randy Williams and Scott Linebrink allowed five runs in the seventh, Guillen had little to elaborate on about the Sox’s first visit to the new Yankee Stadium.
“The only thing I got to say is we come to New York, and we visit Yankee Stadium,” Guillen said. “It’s a pretty nice ballpark, a very attractive ballpark, and the hotel we stayed at was very nice. That’s all I can say.”
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Big number
.118
Batting average of the White Sox’s 3-4-5 hitters in the three-game series at Yankee Stadium.
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mgonzales@tribune.com
